Dingras Church Explained

Dingras Church
Fullname:Saint Joseph Parish Church
Pushpin Map:Luzon mainland#Philippines
Map Caption:Location in Luzon##Location in the Philippines
Coordinates:18.103°N 120.6987°W
Location:Poblacion, Brgy. Madamba, Dingras, Ilocos Norte
Country:Philippines
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Dedication:Saint Joseph
Status:Parish church
Functional Status:Active
Architectural Type:Church building
Style:Baroque architecture
Width:20feet
Length:90feet
Archdiocese:Nueva Segovia
Diocese:Laoag
Province:Nueva Segovia
Archbishop:Marlo Mendoza Peralta
Bishop:Renato P. Mayugba

Saint Joseph Parish Church, commonly known as Dingras Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in the municipality of Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Laoag.

History

Dingras started as a visita of Batac and became an independent parish by the Augustinians. Father Bartolome Conrado became the first parish priest in 1598. It was reinstated as a visita in 1603 and back as a parish in 1605. The church was destroyed by earthquake in 1619, reconstructed before a fire in 1838, and lightning in 1853. Another church, largely known as the ruins of the Catholic Church of Dingras, was built by Augustinian friar Damaso Vieytez. It was restored and remodeled by Father Ricardo Deza with the help of Mayor Camilo Millan from 1879 to 1893. It was ruined by fire and earthquake in 1913. Now, the famous ruins of Dingras is reconstructed from its present site and now used as church building.

Architecture

The church measuring 90feet in diameter and 20feet in width is one of the largest church in the Philippines.

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